Senior CIA analyst resigns because of President Trump's 'disturbing' actions in office

Over a decade ago, Edward Price told his father that he was going to get a job at the Central Intelligence Agency. It wouldn't just be his "first real job," he told his dad — it would be his career, passion and life.

That all changed when President Donald Trump was elected.

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"Despite working proudly for Republican and Democratic presidents, I reluctantly concluded that I cannot in good faith serve this administration as an intelligence professional," Price, who had worked at the CIA since 2006, wrote in a resignation letter published in full by the Washington Post on Monday.

Having most recently served as a senior director on the National Security Council, Price resigned last week, effective immediately. Leaving the agency was not an easy decision, he said.

He devoted himself to the CIA as a college student, and worked under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.

"There was no greater reward than having my analysis presented to the president and seeing it shape events," he wrote. "Intelligence informing policy — this is how the system is supposed to work."

Edward Price, a former analyst and NSC director, explains why he resigned from the CIA. (The Washington Post)

But, Price claimed, as Trump rose to power, that chain of command slowly began to deteriorate.

"I watched in disbelief when, during the third presidential debate, Trump casually cast doubt on the high-confidence conclusion of our 17 intelligence agencies released that month, that Russia was behind the hacking and release of election-related emails," Price wrote.

"Trump's actions in office have been even more disturbing."

Price recalled Trump's Jan. 21 visit to the CIA's Virginia headquarters, during which the newly inaugurated President, standing before the agency's star-studded memorial wall, held a speech that mostly focused on the size of his inauguration crowd, his appearance on magazine covers and his "running war" with the press. The speech drew the ire of former CIA Director John Brennan, who said he was "deeply saddened and angered" at Trump's behavior.

"Whether delusional or deceitful, these were not the remarks many of my former colleagues and I wanted to hear from our new commander in chief," Price wrote. "I couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between the bombast of the new president and the quiet dedication of a mentor — a courageous, dedicated professional — who is memorialized on that wall. I know others at CIA felt similarly."

President Trump speaks at the CIA headquarters on Jan. 21 in Langley, Va. (Pool/Getty Images)

But, Price said, what really tipped him off the edge was Trump's decision to overhaul the National Security Council last month.

"Missing from the NSC's principals committee were the CIA director and the director of national intelligence. Added to the roster: the president's chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, who cut his teeth as a media champion of white nationalism," Price wrote.

Matters only went downhill from there, with Trump doubling down on his "America First" policy, which Price wrote considers Russia "an ally" and Australia "a punching bag."

"To be clear, my decision had nothing to do with politics, and I would have been proud to again work under a Republican administration open to intelligence analysis," Price wrote. "But this administration has flipped that dynamic on its head: The politicians are the ones tuning out the intelligence professionals."

In conclusion, Price asserted that he still believes that the CIA will prevail. But, waving a warning rhetorical finger at Trump, Price said trust between the White House and the intelligence community will not build unless the new President is prepared to listen.

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"Until that happens," Price wrote, "President Trump and his team are doing another disservice to these dedicated men and women and the nation they proudly, if quietly, serve."